Type-writer silencer.



S. W. WATERHOUSE.

TYPE WRITER 51mm.

XFPLCATION FILED DEC-7,1914

Patented June 20, 1916.

' 3 SHEETS-SHEET l.

. www) .r i V -owal 'VFESSES: INVENTOR M AKW/@W www/Zw@ s. w. .WATERHUUSL TYPE WRITER SILENCER.

APPLICATION HLED DEC. 7, 1914.

Pntnted June 20, 1916.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

I.\' PINTOR ffy/720304 Wwe/waage,

S. W. WATRHOUSE.

TYPF. WRITER SILENCER.

APPLscATloN FILED 050.7,19x4

lutvutod June 20, 1916.

SHEET 3.

3 SHEETS mvrTED STATES PATENT orrrcE.

SEYMOUR W. WATERHOUSE, F SAN JOSE, CALIFORNIA.

' f TYPE-WRITER srLENcna.

Specification of Letters Patent. Patented June 20, 1916,

Continuation in part of application Serial No. 543,994, led February 15, 1910. 'This application led December', 1914. Serial No. 875,789.

To all whom it may concern i Be it known that l, SEYMOUR W. VATiiR- Housn, a citizen of the United States, residing'at' San Jose, in the county of Santa.v

.Clara and State of California, .have invented new and useful Improvements 1n' TypelViter Silencers, of which the followlngpls a specification.

, bodying a combination of elements whereby lsection of the invention.

the inclosed machine may be operated without inconvenience, and is at all times accessible, is protected from dampness dust and fire; and to provide a case so designed and constructed as to be readily mounted and dismounted without altering a machine to any material `degree.

A primary object is to devise a casing so designed as to preventithe transmission ,of soundswith the aim of rendering a typewriter so inaudible when in operation as to be capable of use in Courtslecturefhalls or crowdedvoihces without disturbing speakers or auditors.

, .The invention consists of the parts and the construction and combination of parts as hereinafter, morel fully described and claimed, having reference to Jthe accompanyl ing drawings, in which- Figure l is a front elevation in partial Fig. 2 is aperspective detail of the carriage release lever. Fig. 3 is a plan of the invention with parts broken away to show the underneath mechanism. Fig. 4. is' an edge view of the automatically opening window. Fig. 5 is a vertical transverse section on X-X, Fig. 3. Fig. 6 `is a detail of the platen connection. Fig. 7 is a detail of the window-cord hook. Fig. 8 is a detail of the window latch. Fig. 9 is a detail of the line spacing mechanism.

Many attempts have been made to overcome thel monotonous, frequently annoying sounds emanating from typewriting machines when in operation, and such attempts have included modicatons in the structure of the platen, padding various parts-of the 1machine, and mounting it uponmats. None of these expedients has successfully elimioperative parts nated the sounds, and where in someofiices 'a large number of the machines are all operated at the same time, it is very confusing and difficult to carry on an ordinary conversation, besides being generally very annoying.

My invention comprehends a frame, cover orcase A having its walls made as thick as will be necessary to have sufficient strength and required to most effectuallyl prevent the transmission of sounds. This case maybe made -of any material having sufficient rigidity, and preferably a material normally a non-conductor of sounds. For purposes of manufacturing and transportation the casing A may be divided into separable upper and lower sections united together byl suitablemeans as blocks 2 and screws 3, Fig. 5. `I have shown the casing as comprising exterior and interior walls 4 and 5 which maybe integrally united, or secured and properly spaced by. spacers 6 of sound-resisting material adapted to receive screws 7, Fig. 5. The space between walls 4 5 is utilized for sound insulation. desired, be filled with suitable sound insulating` material 8, such as asbestos, raw cotton, felt, etc., `although preferably I'employ cotton saturated with petroleum jelly, or some other similar petroleum product, as I have discovered that this forms a very satisfactory sound insulating medium. i

Referring to Fig. l, the casing A has a reduced basey portion or foot 8 of such proportions that an opening is formed of such areathat the entire case A may be dropped down over a typewriter so as to completely inclose it; and anl extension or apron portion 9 of the case A projects forwardly and covers all the keys l() of the keyboard of the typewriter. l l

It is essential `in preventing the issuance ofA any sounds from the typewriter to inclose the entire machine and its appurtenances, as my case does, forif any unguarded openings be left in the case for operating the parts, some'sound will invariably be noticeable. "Means must also be embodied therewith arranging for accessibility and operation of the machine, still preserving It may, if l invention, which is'to provide a practical,

commercial, noiseles'sv typewritingA machine. To this end .the upper portion of the case is provided with a transparent movable` sec- Aout regard to the location of the carriage tion or window 11, Figs. 1 and 5,k so disposed that when the reciprocating carriage 12 is shifted toits extreme left-hand position, and the window open, paper may be ireadily placed upon the rotary platen 13,

removing or inserting the paper, the window-frame is pivoted upon a` rod 11 held in bearings 15. and is connected to the outer ends of lifting torsion springs 16. A collar 17 carries the opposite ends of the springs, which springs are adjustable on fixed rod l-L of the case. The tension of the springs 1G is suflicient to sustain the window in normally. open position. The window is maintained closed against the action of springs 1G by suitable means, as the spring latch 18 operated by 'the trigger 19. To open the window to get at the paper or platen, all the operator has to do is to trip the trigger 1S). The window may be closed either by hand or by means to be hereinafter described.

To permit the operator to turn the platen conveniently from outside the case, with? 12 within the same, suitable connections are made to the platen spindle 2O and extended to the outside of the case within easy reach of the operator, these connections, as here shown, comprising a suitable wheel 21 consisting of a. hub secured to the spindle 2O and having radial spokes which engage connecting pins 22 between two spaced disks 22', which latter are slidable lengthwise on, and turnable with, a` suitable countershaft 23, which latter is suitably mounted in a hanger 25 and a packed bearing 2G in the right-hand end of case A, as seen in Fig. 3. Shaft 23 extends outside the ease A and is turnable by a suitable knobr 24. The wheel .21 is always in mesh with the hollow wheel 2222, which latter travels back and forth arranged so as to enable the operator to positively shift the carriage from without the casing A, `rendering it unnecessary to open the window l1 after the paper has been inserted, or until the letter or other document has been written.

In most standard typewriters the carriage is provided with a lever, as 27, which has the dual function of providing a handor lingerhold to pull the carriage to the right, and of giving a step by step rotary motion to the platen to give a proper line-feed. I propose to adapt my case A to suit the varous makes of machines, and provide convenient connection to the shift, lever 27 by suitable means, as the following: A cord 23, Fig. 1, extends through a suitable guard 29 of sound-resisting properties in the end of the casing adjacent to button 211, and is connected to a convenient handle or lever 30 which isl pivoted at 31 on the end of the case and is brought around to the front, as shown in Fig. 3. This arrangement of the cord 28 `or equivalent and its connections affords a protected means to effect line spacing of the platen and -shifting lengthwise of the Aside of lever 30 outside the case, and which lever 33 is connected by a cord-37 with a sliding clutch 35, which latter pivots 0n av sleeve 36 which slides on a fixed guide bar 37 in the case, clutch 35 being notched to engage the usual release lever 34 on the carriage. Exercising a downward pressure on lever 33 operates lever 3 4 (which carries rack 39) to disengage the rack 39, Fig. 2, from the escapement 39 on the frame; then by slacking up on lever 33 a little so as not to let the rack 39 catch the gear of the es capement. the carriage 12 will automatically shift .to the left under tension of the usual spring devices 12. That is to say, an initiall downward pressure on lever 33 disengages the rack so that the carriage, 1f otherwise j unobstructed, will run free to the left. /But if the operator so elects he may increase the down pressure upon the lever 33, overcome the automatic shift of the carriage and pull the carriage to any desired position to the right, where it will stop just as soon as the handle 33 is released by a quick upward movement to allow rack 39 once more to catch. Thus a perfect control is had over the paper feed, by means of the button 24 and by the lever 30; over the carriage shift tothe right, by levers 30 and 33'; and over its release, or shift to the left, by lever 33; all conveniently located and outside of the case A.

Since the primary object of this invention is to eliminate, as completely as possible, the escape ofsound through the casing, the several extensions or mechanisms which project through the case are all carefully pro-v is adaptable to operate the usual character keys, space-bar, shift-key and tabulator keys of the typewriter keyboard 10; the keys 32 being spring-*actuated and pressing on the keys 10. If desired, a cover 32 may be provided forthe keys 32. 1

The transmission vmembers 21-22-.22 are so' designed as to allow for whatever individual movement, vertical, horizontal, or angular, the platen may have, according to the machine used. The spokes of the wheelv 21 always stayin mesh with the cross pins 22 whether the platen is raised or not under the action of its shift-key l()l and connections 10, Fig. 5. lVhichever way the carriage l2 travels, the wheel 22 slides back and forth along its Shaft 23.'

The Window l1 is automatically closed by the movement of the carriage to the right as follows: On the underside of the windowframe is a keeper 40, Figs.`5 and 7, adapted to receive an easily detachable snap-hook 4l, Fig. 7, attached to a cord 42 which passes over guide pulleys .43-44 suitably mounted inside the case A, the cord being secured by a fleXiblelink 45 to a traveler 46, Figs. 3 and 5, which traveler is slidable along fixed guide rail 47, Fig. 3. 4S is a lug or projection on carriage l2 arranged in the path of a stop projection 49 on the traveler 4G. If the window is open and the carriage right-hand end of the rail 47 by mcansf a4 spring or like tightener 50, whereby the slack 1s always taken up m the cord 42.

the lightsp'ring 50 under tension. At no time is the cord 42 slack. The `flexible link or spring r45 is introduced for the purpose of insuring a tight closing of the window, so that the carriage is allowed to have a slight mot-ion after the window-has been seated and latched.

l\'Ianifestly I may vary the construction of the window l1, as to best accomplish sound- 1 resistance, and 'I Ihave shown the. transpan encies suitably packed, as at 51, and pads 52 .are also utilized upon which the'w'indowV may rest.

A suitable stand or table 55. is shown having a 'plate 58 upon which the typewriter may rest the plate 53 being supported upon a granular, fibrous or fiexible layer 54 which intercepts vibrations and prevents the transmission of sound toand through the table 55.A I

As an additional safeguard against the escape of sound, I proposeto make the. case in such a manner as to form a receptacle a to.

having a form substantially similar to the Y 'a5 The :case A is placed over the machine and rests upon a non-sound conducting pad 56 foot'S of the case. To prevent the case be-.

ing accidentallyv displaced relative to the machine, flanges 57. are formed on the stand 55 and have a beveled edge 58 upon which 1s seated a packing 59 adapted to be pressed` 55, in which are placed shock-absorbing mediums, asl springs 64 and pads 65.

As a substitute for the ordinary warning bell of a typewriter I purpose using a small electric light 7 O which is intermittentiy illuminated by the carriage through the medium of a suitable circuit 71 and asprmg switch 72 lying in the path of the carriage. 'This light is intermittent and is preferably red,

and, if desired, a second light 7 3 may be em'- ployed to illuminate the interior workings of the case. y

vSince an important object of this invention is to provide a case for inclosing typewriters alreadyin use, the case has been so designed that the operator only `has to shift the carriage12 to a central position on the machine and drop the entire assembled ca se down over it, having previously placed the driven platen wheel 21 on the spindle 20, this being the only change requisite.

The operation 'of the device isbrietly as follows: The typewriting machine isplaced on the padded table 55 and the case A set over the machine and clamped down on the properly engages` with the releasing lever 34: and that the star-wheel 2l intermeshes with the wheel Q2-2. Placing the case ou the typewriter bringsl the, secondary bank of keys 32 into alinement with the keys l0 ot the typewriter keyboard, so that the typewriter thereafter is manipulated by striking the keys 32.

To put the paper in the machine the platen is run to the lett-hand end of the case and the window 1l opened b v depressing the trigger 19. the springs 1G opening and holding open the window until clostal again either by hand or by running the carriage back to the right'. `in which latter case the stop 17S on the carriage hits the projection 4S) on the traveler lll, and through cord 12 pulls the window closed; the spring connector @l5 allowing l'or a little extra travel ot the carriage, to the right to insure the closing ot the window 11. The typewriter is then ma nipulated in the usual way.

The platen can be turned while the door is closed b v manipulating the button 2l and the platen can be line-spaced and retracted toward the right by -means of the lever 30, or the carriage can be released and run to the lett b v an initial downward pressure on lever 315 and then slacking up slightly on the lever to let the carriage be pulled to the lett by the tension of its spring; or by pushing down hard on lever the carriage can be pulled to the right without line 'spacing or turning the platen.

lt is understood that the illustration is only typical oil one enibodiment of my inven tion, and that changes of material, form. arrangement, proportion and degree may be made in application of the principle to suit a variety of conditions, or makes ot machines: and that wherein here used, the term ease means frame. cover or easing.

As previouslystated, the shift-lever 2T on most machinesA operates, when pulled on, to give a step by step movement to the platen '123. This means is well known in the art. I have represented, however, diagrammatieally iu Fig. i5, and in detail in Fig. i), the general idea.

The. lever "2T which is shown in end elevation in Fig` 1, has a horizontal stem portion` also tor reciprocating the carriage.

This application `is 'in substitution and continuation of my prior application tiled May Q5, 191i, Ser. No. 840,961. v

Having thus described my invention, what I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is- 1. The combination with a typewriter having a keyboard, of a sound-proof case therefor completely housing in the typewriter and keyboard, and means operative from the exterior of the casing for manipulating the keys and itor turning the platen and releasing the carriage.

y Q. The combination with a typewriter having a keyboard, carriage and platen, of a sound-proof case therefor completely housing in the keyboard and the operative. parts of the typewriter, with means operative :lrom the exterior of the case for manipulating the keys, the platen and the carriage, said means including keys, a lever connected to move the carriage and a turnablc knob connected to the platen.

The combination with a typewriter raving a keyboard, carriage and platen, of a soundproof case therefor completely housing in the keyboard and the operative parts ot the typewriter, with means operative lrom the exterior of the case for manipu-v lating the keys, the platen and the carriage, and a closure for the case operative by the movement 0i the carriage. v

4. The combination with a typewriter having a keyboard, carriage and platen, of a sound-proof case therefor completely housing in the keyboard and the ope 'ative parts of the typewriter, with means operative from thel exterior of the case for manipulatingthekeys, the platen and the carriage, a transparent closure for the case, means for maintaining the closure normally open, de tent means for holding it closed, and means operative by the typewriter for automatically closing the closure.

5. The combination with a typewriter having a keyboard, a reciprocating carriage and a rotary platen` of a sound-proof case therefor entirely housing in the machine in cluding the keyboard, and means at one end of the case for manipulating the carriage and platen at will, said means including le,-

vers connected to the carriage and a knob whereby the platen may be turned.

(i. The combination with a 'typewriter having a keyboard, a reciprocatingr carriage and a. rotary platen. of a sound-proof case therefor completely housing in the machine including the key-board, said case having a supplemental bank of keys registrable with the keys on the typewriter keyboard, .and means extending outside the case and carried thereby for manipulating the carriage and platen,.said means including levers connected to the carriage and a knob whereby the platen may be turned.

7.A The combination with a typewriter having a rotary platen, of a sound-proof case therefor, and temporarily connectible mea/ns including a rotary member onthe outside ofthe case for manipulating the Platen- 8. The combination with `a typewriter lhaving a rotary platen, of asound-proof case therefor, and means including a rotary 4member .on the outside of the case for manipulatingtheplaten, said means being connectible-and disconnectible from the platen.

y9. The .combination with a typewriter' vhaving a rotary platen, of a soundproof' casefor the machine, and means carried by the case and operative'from outside the case for turning-the platen,

I10. The combination with a typewriter having arotary platen capable of a lengtli- Awise movement and of a vertical movement,

of a sound-.proof case for the machine, and

means carried by the" case and operative fromoutside the case 'for turning the platen irrespective of the longitudinal positionand irrespective of the level of the platen.

' 11. The combination with a vtypewriter having a rotary platen, of .a case therefor,

.said case having a shaft parallel with vthe axis of the platen,fand -intenengaging driving "connections betweenthe shaft and platen by which onthe turningof the shaft' the platen will correspondingly be turned',

Y inter-engaging wheel ontheother member.v

v 12. The combination vwith a typewriterA i having a `rotary platen, .of a case therefor,-

' said case having a shaft parallel with the axis o f theplaten, and interfengaging driving connections between the shaft and platen iby which on the turning of theshaft the platenjwill corresp'ondinglybe turned, said last-named connections including a starwheel on-oiie member and a complementary 13. The combination with a typewriter V, having a' rotary pla'ten, of a case for the typewriter, said case having a rotary shaft, a stanwheel on the platen, and .a sliding wheel on the shaft in constant engagement with the star-wheel, said slidingwheel slidable on'and turnable with its shaft, and said shaft turnable from without the casing.

14:. The combination of a typewriter having a sliding carriage, -a sound-proof case.

for the typewriter, a pivoted lever. onthe outside of the case, connections between'the lever and the carriage for reciprocating the latter, and means projecting through the case for manipulating a platen on the car? 15. The combination with a typewriter having a sliding carriage, of a sound-proof case for the typewriter, a pivoted lever on 1 the outside of the case, means operative on the carriage tending to move it constantly in.

one direction, connections between the carriage and said lever outside'the case to move thecarriage in the'opposite direction, and` means projecting through the casev for manipulating a platen on the carriage.

16. The combination with a typewriter having a vsliding carriage, of a case for the typewriterf a lever onthe outside of the case, means operative o n the carriage tending Jto-move it constantly in one direction, said vcarriage having a releasing lever, and connections between said releasing lever and said lever outside the case for'reciprocating the carriage in either direction.

' 17. The :combination with a typewriter having. a sliding carriage and a rotary platen, of a case for the typewriter, means operative on the carriage tending to cause it to move' always in one direction, and a single means outside" the case. and connected 'with the carriagefor effecting a step by step -movement of the platen and also for reciproyeating the carriage. i

18. The combination with a typewriter having a sliding carriage, of a case therefor,

a lever outside the case, means acting on the carriage tending to move it always in one direction, and said carriage having a release lever, and connections between said release.

lever and saidA lever outside the case for moving the carriage# 1S?. The .combination with a Itypewriter having a sliding carriage, of a case therefor, a lever outside the case, means acting on the Acarriage tending to move it always inone `direction, and said carriagehaving a release lever, and flexible connections between said .release lever and said'v lever outside the case for moving the carriage. l

20. The lcombination with a typewriter ico havinga slidingl carriage, 'of a case incloslast-named means includin i, an outside operating lever, and a sliding'c l "titch member iniio side of and carried by the casing and enf' gageable with the releasing lever.

22. The combination with a typewriter, of a'case therefor, a hinged door, means tendj ing'normally to hold thedoor open, said typewriter having a sliding carriage, and means'oper-ative by the movement of the carriage to closevthe door.

23. vThe combination with a typewriter, of

a vcase therefor, a hingeddoor, means tending normally to .hold the door* open, said typewriter ,having a sliding carriage, and means operative by the vmovement ofthe carriage .to close the door, said last-named means includingqa traveler mounted for reciprocating on the case in' a direction parallel with the movement of the carriage,

connections between the traveler and door, and stop means on the carriage engageable by the traveler. g

24. rThe combination with a typewriter, of a sound-proofl ease therefor completely h'ousing in the typewriter. a sound-deaulening table on which the typewriter rests, and means for clamping the case on said table.

25. The combination with a typewriter, of a sound-proof case therefor completely housing in the typewriter, a sound-deadening table on which the typewriter rests, means' for clamping the casevon said table7 and mechanism carried by the case for manipulating the typewriter from the outside.

26. In `typewriting apparatus, a sound corralling case for inclosing a typewriting machine and having keys and levers cordi-v nate with those of the machine, said casing having a receptacle for containing a bath of oil in which some of the mechanism is immersed to deaden sound. 5

27. In a ty )ewriter silencer, a case with hollowvwalls filled with cotton saturated with a petroleum product.

28. The combination of a sound deadening easing, a typewriter therein having a traveling carriage, means operable to return the carriage of the typewriter and means in part exterior to the casing to control said operable means.

29. The combinationof a sound deadening casing, a typewriter therein having a carriage to travel wholly within the easing, and operable means to return the carriage.

30. The eombinationof a sound deadening casing, a typewriter therein having a carriage to travel wholly within the casing, means to return the carriage, and means extending through the casing to actuate the carriage return means.

3l. The combination of a sound deadening casing for typewriters, a typewriter therein provided with a movable carriage, said casing having Va transparent portion in front of the carriage of saidtypewriter and illuminating means forsaid carriage within the casing. i

32. The combination o'f a sound deadening casing for typewriters, a typewriter therein having a movable carriage, a visible signaling device in `conjunction with the typewriterlcasing, the carrlage of said typewriter operating said visible signal devlce.

toward the end of itsmovement to the left.

In Atestimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand in the presence of two subscribing Witnesses.

` SEYMOUR W. WA'IERHOUSE. Witnesses: v

JOHN H. HERRING, W. W. HEALEY. 

